Under the July Sun

by Barbara Jones

She was surprised. ‘Well, Reggie I think maybe she would be a little difficult to hold right now, she can be an awful wriggler you know.’

  Reggie looked downcast and Cat felt awkward. It was a surprise that a young lad of nearly seventeen should show an interest in helping with a small child. This was strictly a woman’s domain and she felt there was something a little odd in his request. Then as though relenting because she had hurt his feelings, she asked if he would like to dry Eileen once she had bathed her, and Reggie seemed cheered by the suggestion.

  After bathing her, Cat wrapped her in a towel and showed Reggie what to do, ensuring that every part of the child was dry.

  Cat was surprised at how gentle he was with Eileen and impressed at how deftly he towelled her dry before asking if he could put her nightdress on.

  Once more Cat felt uncomfortable, but again not wishing to thwart Reggie, she allowed him to do this task. He then brushed her hair and sat her on his lap tickling her chin making her laugh while Cat prepared Billy’s tea.

  ‘Can I put Eileen to bed, Auntie?’

  Cat was about to cut into a fresh loaf and stopped. She looked across at Reggie who was bouncing Eileen on his lap. Eileen was laughing and Reggie looked perfectly natural, almost like a man twice his age and certainly at ease with the child.

  ‘Well, yes. I suppose so. G’w’on then. Pull the curtains and once ye’ve laid her down, leave the room quickly, or she’ll think she’s in for more fun and games with ye.’

  ‘Come on Eileen,’ he said standing up with the child in his arms. ‘Bed time.’

  Reggie walked into the bedroom and Cat heard him pull the curtains, speaking to Eileen as he did, then he re-appeared in the kitchen. Cat looked across at him.

  ‘Reggie, would ye like some bread and jam with Billy?’

  ‘Yes please, Auntie.’

  ‘Sit yerself down then and I’ll get ye some,’ she said. ‘I hear ye lost the job in London?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘So what’ll ye do now?’

  ‘Work in the shop with Mum until I can find another job. It’s not that easy.’

  Cat looked at him. ‘Yes, I know all about that, Reggie. What was the reason they let ye go?’

  Reggie blushed and looked away from her.

  ‘Something about not being able to afford to keep me on.’

  ‘Oh. Well, I expect somethin’ will turn up. In the meantime, if ye can help your mam, it’ll be good for her.’

  Reggie didn’t answer.

  After Cat had put their food on the table she sat down to feed Anna while they ate. She unbuttoned her dress and put the baby to her breast.

  Every once in a while Reggie cast his glance in her direction, but Cat was unaware of the interest she had stirred in him. When the boys had finished eating, Cat asked Reggie if he would like to get Billy ready for bed.

  ‘I should be going home actually, Auntie.’

  ‘Oh. I thought ye were goin’ to wait for Uncle Louis, he won’t be much longer now.’

  ‘No. It is getting on a bit and I have to be up early tomorrow, so I’ll get off home now.’

  ‘Will I tell him what it was ye wanted to talk to him about then?’

  ‘Oh, no. I’ll come and see him another time.’

  ‘’Tis all right to tell me, Reggie. I can keep a secret. Is it about a girl or something?’

  Reggie blushed, quickly stood and pushed his chair into the table. ‘No. It’s nothing, Auntie. I must go now. Goodbye.’

  He walked across and kissed her cheek. Then bending over Eileen he kissed the baby’s forehead.

  Cat felt his breath on her breast and moved back a fraction, feeling that perhaps Reggie was becoming a little too interested in her breast. Still, she supposed it was bound to happen sooner or later; after all he was of an age where he was probably becoming curious about women.

  ‘Well, goodbye then Reggie. I’ll tell Uncle Louis ye came round. Will I ask him to call at the shop to speak to ye?’

  Reggie was walking towards the door and without turning said, ‘No please don’t…er, I’ll come and see him another day. It’s nothing, really!’

  He disappeared through the doorway and left Cat wondering what it was that had bothered her so much.

  * * *

  Cat encouraged Louis to pop round and see what Reggie wanted, and when Lize opened the door to him she said she’d been expecting him.

  ‘Oh, really? Did Reggie say what he wanted me for?’

  ‘It’s a long story, Louis, you’d better come in.’

  Lize related how the situation was becoming unbearable between their mother and Reggie since he’d lost his job and moved back home.

  ‘Mum actually accused Reggie of stealing from her purse, and no amount of intervention by me seems to make any difference. I’m at the end of my tether, Louis. Can you go up and speak to Reggie?’

  Louis climbed the stairs, knocked on Reggie’s door and went in.

  ‘Auntie Cat said you wanted to speak to me, Reggie.’

  ‘Um, yes.’

  ‘Well, what was it about?’

  Reggie looked down and began fiddling with a thread on his pullover.

  Louis felt tired having just got back from London and sat down on the bed next to Reggie.

  ‘Come on Reggie, spit it out, I haven’t got all night.’

  ‘Uncle?’ he began.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘I was wondering if I could come and live with you, that’s all.’

  Louis was taken by surprise; he had not expected anything of this nature.

  ‘And what’s brought this idea about?’

  Reggie outlined how difficult his life was living with his grandmother and how she constantly picked on him and tried turning Iris and his mother against him. He finished by telling Louis how he’d been accused of stealing from his grandmother’s purse. An accusation he flatly denied.

  ‘So you see Uncle, it’s really quite difficult here.’ His words trailed off and he sat looking at Louis dejectedly.

  Louis thought for a while.

  ‘Look Reggie, I know things are difficult, but you can’t come and live with us, not just like that. You’ll have to try harder to not get under Granny’s skin. Keep out of her way. Go out in the evenings and you’ll find it works.’

  Reggie looked down and Louis got up to leave.

  ‘You can’t run away from life, you must learn to work things out, Reggie. You know… find a way of resolving issues yourself.’

  Reggie didn’t answer so Louis left him to think it over and went downstairs.

  As Louis entered the kitchen Lize was making a pot of tea, but Louis said he wouldn’t stay for one as he’d only just returned from London and was tired.

  ‘So did Reggie tell you what he wanted you for?’

  ‘Yes, he wanted to come and live with us.’

  Lize poured out her tea. ‘And what did you say?’

  ‘I told him, he’d have to work harder at making the situation work here.’

  Lize turned on him, her brow furrowed and lips quivering.

  ‘It’s not that easy Louis. Mum made Dad’s life a misery, then yours and now it’s Reggie. I think she hates men and she’s ruining all our lives. You don’t have to put up with her day in and day out picking on everything he says and does.’ She took out a handkerchief and blew her nose. ‘And this latest thing, this idea he’s stolen from her, well it just about finishes it all off!’

  Louis let out a sigh. ‘Lize, we’ve got five mouths to feed already. I can’t take on another one.’ He looked at her and thought she did look worn out.

  ‘I don’t suppose you pay him enough for him to live independently do you?’

  She gave a little laugh.

  ‘Of course I don’t. But if he could live with you, I could manage by myself, with perhaps a little help from Iris.’ She began to bite her fingernail.

  ‘I’m sorry Lize, I can’t ask Cat to do this. She really has enough to do.’

  ‘Well you can
choose, Louis. Either you take Reggie, or you’ll have to take on a larger share of the load with Mum. She’ll have to go and live with you. I can’t take much more and I can’t have them both under the same roof!’

  ‘You know that wouldn’t work, Lize. Mum doesn’t exactly warm to Cat does she? I mean look at that notice she’s had put up on the gate, No Hawkers, No Trespassers and No Irish. How do you think that makes us feel?’

  ‘I know she’s got some prejudices against the Irish, Louis, and I don’t know why. But I can’t be the go-between.’

  Louis looked at her and noticed for the first time her hair had begun to grey at the temples and she had a deep furrow between her eyebrows. Tears welled up in her eyes and he could see that she was at breaking point. He sat down and thought. After a little while he said he would go home and talk it over with Cat.

  ‘Perhaps if Reggie were to get another job it would help.’

  ‘He is looking for one, Louis.’

  Louis remained silent for a while, and then looked at Lize.

  ‘This is only an idea, but one of the chaps I work with has a brother with a butcher’s shop in the High Street. I happen to know they are looking for an apprentice. Would you like me to ask him if he’d give Reggie a chance?’

  ‘Oh, Louis – would you?’

  ‘I will, but don’t say anything to Reggie at present, not until I’ve had time to ask whether it is viable. Or perhaps we should ask Reggie first whether he would like to do that.’

  Lize looked horrified. ‘He’ll do as he’s told, Louis. He’s not in a position to pick and choose.’

  ‘That’s settled then. I’ll let you know.’ He got up to leave. ‘I’ll speak to Cat about him too; she seems quite fond of the boy.’

  Lize just nodded in agreement and Louis left before she could ask him to do anything else.

  When Louis reached home he braced himself; worried about breaking the news to Cat about Reggie. But he was surprised at her reaction. She had simply smiled at him.

  ‘Of course he can move in, Louis.’ Then she had mumbled something else which sounded to Louis like, God moves in mysterious ways.

  Too tired to question her about what she had said, Louis slumped down at the table and poured himself some tea while Cat put his evening meal in front of him.

  ‘There ye are now, Louis. Eat this up and ye’ll feel better, Pet.’

  ‘You seem in a good mood, Cat. Are you sure about this business with Reggie?’

  She turned away so that Louis could not see the smile on her face.

  ‘Of course I don’t mind, he can share the bedroom with Billy!’

  49

  Eltham

  August 1922

  ‘Things seem to be working out well with Reggie here don’t they Cat?’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘Oh, by the way this letter just came,’ Louis said dropping an envelope onto the table. ‘It’s from Ellie, judging by the American stamp.’

  Cat read the letter, then re-folded the thin blue sheets and put them back in the envelope without saying anything. Expecting to hear her news Louis looked across at her. ‘How are things in New York then?’

  Cat’s voice sounded flat. ‘She lost the baby.’

  ‘Oh dear, not again! Poor Ellie.’ Louis remained silent for a while, and then began buttering a piece of bread. ‘Does she say whether Michael is working?’

  ‘He’s got a job as a docker. At least that’s one good thing. I wish she were nearer. Why in God’s name did they have to go so far?’

  Louis sighed. ‘Well by the look of things here, they’ll be glad they did if it continues this way. The dockers here are devils; they have the whole of our economy dependent on their actions. I’ve never known a more powerful force than them, even the Germans weren’t able to overrun us in the way they have.’

  ‘Oh, I can’t be bothered with politics, Louis. Give me a simple old film any day and I’m satisfied.’

  ‘Talking of pictures darling, as it’s our wedding anniversary on Friday I wondered if you would like to go and see the latest Charlie Chaplin?’

  ‘Yes that’ll be good. D’ya think Reggie will mind the children?’

  ‘I should think so. He never seems to want to go out; so I don’t suppose he’ll mind. Will you ask him, or shall I?’

  ‘Would you ask him, Louis?’

  ‘Right, but let’s make it Saturday night. I’ll ask him when he gets in from work tonight.’

  ‘Has he said anythin’ to you about how his job is going? He hasn’t said much about it to me.’

  ‘He seems to have settled in well. Ernie’s brother has taken a liking to him. At least it’s helped the atmosphere at Lize’s, especially now Iris is helping to run the shop with her. Seems things have worked out well all round doesn’t it?’

  * * *

  ‘We’re off now Reggie – and thanks again. ’Tis not often your uncle and I get out.’

  ‘Goodbye, have a nice time both of you, and enjoy the film.’

  ‘Don’t forget now, Reggie. Help yerself to anythin’ you want, there’s some apple pie in the pantry and plenty of bread and jam.’

  ‘I will Auntie. Goodbye now.’

  Reggie closed the door and strolled into the lounge to sit in Louis’ chair. After a while, feeling restless, he ambled out to the back garden and stood listening to the birds quarrelling in the hedgerow.

  He liked living with Louis and Cat. He was treated more as an equal and felt more grown up than at home. He also knew he was getting on better with his Grandmother, now there was some distance between them.

  The evening sun washed over him and he felt at peace. Then as though remembering something he suddenly went inside and closed the door. He sat back down again in Louis’ chair for ages, thinking.

  It was growing dark and Reggie heard Eileen call out in her sleep, so he tiptoed into the bedroom and stood watching over her for a while. She settled in her sleep and became peaceful again, so he crept out of the room and went to see if Billy was asleep. Satisfied that he was, Reggie returned to watch Eileen and Anna.

  Eileen had kicked the covers off in her sleep and lay sprawled out on the bed, her nightdress riding up over her buttocks which were peach-coloured in the diffused evening light.

  Slowly, and carefully, Reggie lifted Eileen from the bed and cradled her in his arms then slid silently from the bedroom into Cat and Louis’ room.

  He laid the sleeping child on the bed and, satisfied she had settled back into sleep, carefully lifted her nightdress and stood gazing at her tiny body.

  Part Three

  50

  Eltham

  July 1925

  ‘Uncle Louis, a chap I work with has a dog that’s had pups. He’s looking for homes for them and, well, I wondered if I could bring one home for the children?’

  ‘Oh I don’t know, Reggie. Dogs cost money and I’m not sure we could afford to waste food on a dog.’

  ‘Well I‘ve thought of that, and it shouldn’t be a problem. I would be able get all the meat scraps from the shop. What do you say? Only Billy’s been going on about having a dog for ages.’

  Louis looked across at Reggie and seeing the enthusiasm on his face found it hard to refuse him. He shook out the paper he was reading and folded it up.

  ‘You’d have to ask Auntie Cat. She’s in charge of that sort of thing. If she says yes, then you may. What sort of dogs are they?’

  ‘Something like a Border Collie. I’ve already seen them. They are mostly black and white with little brown patches over their eyes.’

  Louis smiled at him. ‘So you’ve already been and picked one out have you?’

  Reggie looked embarrassed. ‘Not exactly. But I, well I was invited to tea last Friday and—’

  Louis put down his paper. ‘Do you mean the Friday just gone?’

  ‘Yes, that’s right.’

  ‘But you said you were going to the church dance.’

  ‘Yes, I did. But this was before the dance. I went to tea wit
h Maureen first and then on to the dance after.’

  ‘Oh Yes? And who is Maureen?’

  Reggie blushed. ‘A girl I know.’

  ‘Clearly, it’s a girl you know. You would hardly go to tea with a stranger. Tell me about her. Where did you meet her, and everything else about this Maureen?’

  ‘Well, she comes into the shop pretty regularly.’

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘And, well… we struck up conversation.’

  ‘What about, liver and kidneys or was it the hearts?’

  Reggie looked distinctly uncomfortable, so Louis decided to stop poking fun at him.

  ‘Go on Reggie, I’m only joking.’

  ‘And, so I asked her out. She wanted me to meet her aunt and uncle, so I went to tea last Friday.’

  ‘And are we to be presented to this Maureen? Or are you keeping her away from us for some reason?’

  ‘Oh no, Uncle. It’s not like that. I didn’t know whether you’d mind me bringing a young lady home, that’s all.’

  ‘Well, I’d rather you did, so that we can see the kind of company you are keeping.’

  ‘Alright. I could bring her to meet you and Auntie Cat on Sunday if it’s convenient.’

  Louis picked up his newspaper again, shook it straight and began reading. From behind the paper Reggie heard him mutter.

  ‘Bring her to tea. Four o’clock on the dot and don’t be late. Now go and tell your aunt all about it and don’t forget to ask her about the dog.’

  Reggie hurried out to the garden where Cat was deciding which lettuce to pick. He silently walked between the rows of lettuce until he was about three feet from her.

  Hearing someone behind her, she turned quickly and gave a gasp. ‘Reggie, you gave me a fright. You shouldn’t creep up on me like that!’

  ‘Sorry Auntie, but Uncle Louis said I should discuss something with you.’

  ‘G’w’on then. I’m all ears,’ she said turning her back to him and continuing to look for a good lettuce.

  Reggie related the conversation he had just had with Louis, and Cat listened, amused at Reggie’s enthusiasm.

  ‘Well aren’t ye the dark horse? I was wonderin’ when ye’d start takin’ an interest in girls. Yes of course ye can bring her home on Sunday.’